Lateef, Yusef: Alight Upon the Lake: Live At The Jazz Showcase
They say : Set features Lateef with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Bob Cunningham and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath captured live in June of 1975. Liner notes by Lateef biographer Herb Boyd, plus interviews with Bennie Maupin, Wayne Segal and more. (Resonance Records)
Le Goas, Olivier – Ensemble Pulse: The Chaining Loops
They say : French drummer and composer Olivier Le Goas returns with The Chaining Loops (April 10th, 2026), a new septet album recorded in Paris with Ensemble Pulse, a group formed from decades of shared musical history. Known for his command of complex meters and polyrhythms alongside a strong melodic sensibility, Le Goas brings together long-form composition, collective interplay, and a clear narrative arc across five original works. (Challenge Records)
Levy, Noa – Paul Edis Trio: Portrait In Evans
They say : San Francisco’s rising star vocalist Noa Levy joins UK Parliamentary Award-winning pianist Paul Edis and his Trio for a beautiful exploration of the original music by the legendary Bill Evans. Bill Evans’ timeless compositions with lyrics – some written by Paul and Noa, and some given new interpretations. (Dot Time Records DT9168)
Lewis, John – Sacha Distel: Afternoon In Paris
They say : One of the most tastefully elegant pianists, John Lewis rose to the top of the jazz world as the guiding force behind the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet. This release includes Lewis’ complete Paris, December 1956 all-star quintet sessions with French guitarist Sacha Distel, tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen, bassists Percy Heath and Pierre Michelot, and drummers Kenny Clarke and Connie Kay. These were Distel’s only recordings with John Lewis. (Jazz Wax LP)
Ljunggren, Gustaf – Sverrisson, Skúli: Along The Low Road
They say : Swedish composer and multi-instrumentalist Gustaf Ljunggren invites listeners into the quiet, reflective world of Along The Low Road, an ambitious solo album that balances delicacy with depth. Following the success of Ljunggren’s 2022 release Floreana, this new release offers a gentle, dream-like musical journey, shaped by two of the Nordic scene’s most imaginative and intuitive musicians. (April Records)
Lockheart, Mark: Shapeshifter
They say : ‘Shapeshifter’ is the powerful new album from saxophonist Mark Lockheart, bassist Huw V Williams and drummer Jay Davis. Taking the exploratory spirit of groups like Polar Bear and Malija (both also featuring Mark Lockheart) the trio move together through a common language of jazz, rock, classical and free improvisation exploring dark textures and dramatic musical shifts as they revel in the unexpected. (Subtone Records CD & LP)
Lovano, Joe – Cuomo, Douglas J.: a raft, the sky, the wild sea
They say : Written for and performed by the Grammy-Award Winning jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano, “a raft, the sky, the wild sea” draws on Douglas J. Cuomo’s background in jazz, cinematic and classical realms. Dedicated to all refugees and displaced people around the world, its musical language references the vocabularies of both jazz and contemporary classical music, through a rich soundscape of balladic interludes and modal improvisation, within the construct of a large scale three-movement musical structure. (Blue Cloud Music (Orchid Music Group))
Lukassen, Niklas: Still Waters
They say : Niklas Lukassen’s many-layered band leader debut release on Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Heartcore Records, is a radiant display of his combined talents as a bassist, composer and also a vocalist. His quartet with Ben van Gelder, Kit Downes and Francesco Ciniglio, fuses individualists of the jazz scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin. Enriched by contributions from Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wanja Slavin, Céline Rudolph & Geoffroy De Masure, they musically explore unimagined depths that underlie supposedly still waters. (Heartcore Records)
Marras, Laura J: Serenity – Laura J Marras plays Joe Henderson
They say : Serenity is a jazz project led by alto and soprano saxophinist Laura J Marras, inspired by the music of Joe Henderson. The album explores lyricism, space and melodic depth through original arrangements balancing tradition and contemporary sensibility. The ensemble features Francesca Corrias (voice, flute, lyrics), Alessandro Di Liberto(piano, arrangements), Gabriele Loddo(electric bass), Alessio Cogotti(drums), creating an intimate and expressive soundscape. Release date: 16 january 26. (WoW Records)
Mason, Jake – Trio: The Modern Ark
They say : ARIA-nominated Melbourne outfit the Jake Mason Trio releases sophomore album ‘The Modern Ark’, with 10 tracks that fuse the grit of 1960s soul-jazz with a contemporary conscience, reflecting on humanity’s uneasy dance with its environment while delivering the pocket, melody and feel that define their sound. Echoes of Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff and Larry Young resonate throughout the record, yet Mason’s writing pushes beyond homage. (Soul Messin’ Records – SMR0225)
Mather De Andrade, Kristen: Sem Fim
They say : Digital Only Release On SEM FIM Clarinetist Kristen Mather De Andrade Offers A Potpourri Of Classic Brazilian Traditions – Choro, Frevo, Sertanejo, And Bossa Novas. Kristen Mather de Andrade’s SEM FIM is the lush, Brazilian orchestral record she’s always longed to make. The title means “endless” in Portuguese, and for Mather de Andrade, that title is layered with meanings. SPECIAL GUEST: Sean Jones, Trumpet (Ansonica Records)
Métrailler, Alain: Heights Prospection
They say : Swiss saxophonist and composer Alain Métrailler steps into focus with Heights Prospection, his debut album as a leader, set for release via Unit Records on March 13th, 2026. Recorded in New York City and shaped by years immersed in its creative intensity, the album introduces a distinctive new voice grounded in jazz tradition and guided by a deep commitment to improvisation. (Unit Records)
Mick, Alcyona – Noble, Liam: Distant Plains
They say : ‘Distant Plains’ is a striking new collaborative album from distinguished pianists Alcyona Mick and Liam Noble, recorded at Abbey Road Studios under the conceptual direction of Penny Rimbaud. Inspired by Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’, ‘Distant Plains’ reimagines the seven movements as a work of stripped-back, intuitive improvisation. Rather than quoting Holst directly, Mick and Noble respond to the emotional and spatial essence of the music, allowing it to act as an unseen gravitational force. (Caliban Sounds CAL012) Hear Alcyona Mick – Liam Noble
Mitchell, Roscoe – Michele Rabb: In 2
They say : ‘In 2’ is a collaboration between two of the most renowned exponents of free jazz, Roscoe Mitchell, founder member of The Art Ensemble of Chicago (ECM Records) and Italian percussionist Michelle Rabbia ( ECM Records).Recorded shortly after a series of concerts in Italy during May of 2024, ‘In 2’ is a mesmerizing soundscape of atmospheric compositions; “…an emotional record, fragmented sounds and broken melodies and rhythmic textures that dissolve into 39 minutes and 06 seconds of good music.” (Autre Distribution CD)
Modha: At Your Pace
They say : In a world that celebrates speed, productivity, and surface-level perfection, Modha offer something radically different: space, sincerity, and slowness. Their second full-length album At Your Pace is not just a title — it’s a quiet manifesto. An invitation to step outside the noise, breathe deeper, and reconnect with the unpolished beauty of musical collaboration. (Sonar Kollektiv | SK535LP)
Mollestad, Hedvig – Weejuns: Bitches Blues
They say : “Weejuns is all about interplay,” explains Mollestad, a former Young Jazz Talent of the Year and Artist in Residence in her native Norway. “Bitches Blues consists of six instrumental tracks, or stretches of music, with an extreme range of dynamics. Some are based around hefty beats, while other tracks are far more lyrical and rubato. It ranges from riff-based rock-ish stuff, to loud chaos, to melancholy ballads and even totally free improvisations.” (Rune Grammofon RCD2238)
Molley, Brian Quartet: Tùs/Origin
They say : Much travelled Glasgow-based quartet, led by former Jazzwise ‘One to Watch’ saxophonist Brian Molley, explores the Scottish influence on the development of jazz. Through folk traditions of the Outer Hebrides, including the call and response of Gaelic psalm singing, to a Louisiana gospel stomp via fugue, jig and hoedown, Molley leads pianist Tom Gibbs, bassist David Bowden and drummer Stephen Henderson, through a suite of exhilarating contemporary jazz. (BGMM Records BGMM 006)
Monk, Thelonious – John Coltrane: Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane
They say : Compiles 1957 studio recordings featuring the legendary pair alongside Wilbur Ware and Shadow Wilson. It features 1957 studio sessions previously released on Riverside, including Trinkle, Tinkle, Ruby, My Dear, Nutty, and Monk’s Mood. (Number One Essential LP)
Moody, Michael : The Ecstasy Of Love
They say : The Ecstasy Of Love is an intimate set in which jazz singer Michael Moody creates fresh and surprising versions of beloved standards. Moody’s distinctive and appealing voice, marked by a refined musicality and horn-like precision, backed by guitar and bass, takes vintage songs into some unexpected areas. Michael Moody, whose quietly expressive voice is instantly recognizable, performs a dozen standards on The Ecstasy Of Love. Accompanied by the tasteful duo of guitarist Paul Bollenback and bassist Neal Caine (who take occasional solos), Moody deeply influenced by the interpretive legacies of Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae, sticks closely to the emotional truth of the lyrics while reshaping melodies with subtle, instrumental flexibility. (Self Released)
Motis, Andrea: Intimate
They say : ‘Intimate’ is exactly what its title promises: a quiet, close-up musical conversation shaped by subtlety, warmth, and emotional honesty. On this new album, vocalist and trumpeter Andrea Motis reveals her most delicate and refined side, placing her voice at the centre while weaving in understated trumpet lines within an intimate acoustic setting. (Elemental Music LP & CD)
